2023-05-20 07:20:56
The probability of infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is 80 percent. So the chances are high that you will be infected with the virus at least once in your life. It is transmitted through sexual intercourse – and even among 14-year-olds, the rate of infection is relatively high at 20 percent.
“For 20 to 25 year olds it is even 50 to 60 percent,” says Michaela Klein, gynecologist and President of the Burgenland Cancer Aid. The duration of infection is one to three years.
➤ More: HPV vaccination is now free for everyone up to the age of 21
In regarding ten percent of those infected, the virus changes the cell, and precancerous lesions can develop. It can even be 20 to 25 years before the often fatal diagnosis is made, and more aggressive forms are noticed following five years. “Even if you’ve had the virus before, you hardly develop antiviruses. That’s why you can get the virus once more and once more,” says Klein, calling for vaccination.
Vaccination before first sex
Although this is always possible in principle, it offers younger people better protection than older people. Between the ages of nine and 21, the two necessary doses have been free since February of this year. If over 21-year-olds want to be vaccinated, they have to pay 215 euros per injection.
➤ More on this: HPV vaccination: A single dose is just as protective as multiple doses
Facts regarding HPV
- HPV
About 80 percent of all women and men become infected with genital HPV during their lifetime
- 400 cases
of cervical cancer occurs every year in Austria, 130 to 180 people die from it every year. Cervical cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide
- genital warts
More than one percent of sexually active people suffer from genital warts. Overall, every tenth person with HVP develops it
Especially at this promising age for prevention, many young people are difficult to grasp. About 30 to 40 percent of the girls are immunized, and the number of boys is much lower, Klein knows. “It’s really regarding a lost age group in puberty that doctors often miss. For nine-year-olds, sexuality is still very far away,” says the doctor.
risk minimization
Nevertheless, it is best to prevent before the first sexual contact. And that often happens earlier than most parents would like.
➤ More: HPV vaccination: how we can (almost) eradicate a type of cancer
Michaela Klein is a gynecologist and president of the Burgenland Cancer Aid.
© Picture: Philipp Moser
The HP viruses are responsible for a variety of different cancers, around 200 virus strains are known. Vaccination reduces the chance of cervical cancer by up to 90 percent and anal cancer by 80 percent. In the case of genital warts, the risk reduction is 99 percent, and cancer in the ear, nose and throat area is also 50 percent less likely. “It is assumed that every second carcinoma in the ENT area is HPV induced,” says Klein.
No tests for men
Women can be tested for the HP virus from the age of 30, but this is not possible for men. Not only are they carriers, they can also develop cancer. “The vaccination makes the most sense before the first sexual contact – for women and men alike,” says Klein, referring to diseases such as anal cancer.
In Europe, 33,500 new cases of cervical cancer are registered every year, with around 15,000 deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) has even set a goal that by 2030 a total of 90 percent of all girls should be vaccinated once morest HPV.
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